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| Lightning storms as heatwave warning remains | Lightning storms as heatwave warning remains |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Lightning struck more than 3,000 times in two hours in the UK, as a heatwave warning remains in place for parts of the country. | Lightning struck more than 3,000 times in two hours in the UK, as a heatwave warning remains in place for parts of the country. |
| BBC Weather said the storms moved north across the country overnight and into Friday morning. | BBC Weather said the storms moved north across the country overnight and into Friday morning. |
| Temperatures in parts of the UK are set to climb beyond 30C (86F) later. | Temperatures in parts of the UK are set to climb beyond 30C (86F) later. |
| Friday could top Thursday as the hottest day of the year so far, and the Met Office has issued a heatwave alert for southern England and the Midlands. | Friday could top Thursday as the hottest day of the year so far, and the Met Office has issued a heatwave alert for southern England and the Midlands. |
| Public Health England said elderly people and those with long-term illnesses should take particular care. | Public Health England said elderly people and those with long-term illnesses should take particular care. |
| A Twitter account for Metropolitan Police helicopters posted pictures of the lightning on Thursday night, writing: "And here folks is why we are currently on the ground!! #SummerStorm." | A Twitter account for Metropolitan Police helicopters posted pictures of the lightning on Thursday night, writing: "And here folks is why we are currently on the ground!! #SummerStorm." |
| A high of 32C has been forecast for Friday, with the Met Office predicting rain in Scotland and Northern Ireland but very warm, humid conditions elsewhere. | A high of 32C has been forecast for Friday, with the Met Office predicting rain in Scotland and Northern Ireland but very warm, humid conditions elsewhere. |
| The hottest place in the UK on Thursday was Hampton in south-west London at 29.5C, according to the Met Office. | The hottest place in the UK on Thursday was Hampton in south-west London at 29.5C, according to the Met Office. |
| BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said Thursday's "hot spots" would be "even hotter" on Friday after a night of thunderstorms in some areas, with more torrential rain forecast on Friday night into Saturday. | BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said Thursday's "hot spots" would be "even hotter" on Friday after a night of thunderstorms in some areas, with more torrential rain forecast on Friday night into Saturday. |
| The Met Office declared a level two heatwave alert - this warning is triggered by at least a 60% chance of temperatures being high enough on at least two consecutive days to have a "significant effect on health". | |
| It also issued a yellow weather warning for rain across much of the UK on Saturday, with more thunderstorms expected. | It also issued a yellow weather warning for rain across much of the UK on Saturday, with more thunderstorms expected. |
| Public Health England renewed its advice to people to take care in the heat. | Public Health England renewed its advice to people to take care in the heat. |
| Dr Paul Cosford, director for health protection, said: "While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be particularly vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses." | Dr Paul Cosford, director for health protection, said: "While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be particularly vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses." |
| People should stay out of the heat during the hottest time of the day and have plenty of cool drinks, he said. | People should stay out of the heat during the hottest time of the day and have plenty of cool drinks, he said. |
| Meanwhile, London Fire Brigade warned of an increase in grass fires and reminded people not to drop cigarettes on to grass land. | Meanwhile, London Fire Brigade warned of an increase in grass fires and reminded people not to drop cigarettes on to grass land. |
| The Fire Brigade Union's continuing strikes over pensions take place across England and Wales on Friday, between 06:00 and 08:00 BST and again from 23:00 to 01:00 BST. | The Fire Brigade Union's continuing strikes over pensions take place across England and Wales on Friday, between 06:00 and 08:00 BST and again from 23:00 to 01:00 BST. |
| During these periods, crews will not attend grass fires unless they present a risk to life or property. | During these periods, crews will not attend grass fires unless they present a risk to life or property. |